RealTurf-Elite-Artificial Turf-Medium Pile Grass
Avoid until brand discloses specific PFAS treatment information.
Artificial turf typically includes water and stain-resistant coatings commonly containing PFAS, but RealTurf discloses nothing about treatments or materials.
The better-graded swap
FieldTurf
Vertex CORE Synthetic Turf System
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polypropylene or polyethylene backing with unknown coatings and treatments
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What RealTurf-Elite-Artificial Pile Grass is made of, ingredients and materials
RealTurf-Elite uses polypropylene or polyethylene as the primary fiber material, which are thermoplastic polymers stable at typical indoor and outdoor temperatures. The backing layer and any applied coatings or antimicrobial/UV-protection treatments are not publicly detailed by the brand. Without transparency on these additives, the full chemical profile of degradation products, volatile organics, or durability enhancers remains unknown.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and off-gassing from backing and coatings
Polypropylene backing and undisclosed adhesives or protective coatings may release low levels of VOCs during initial installation and in warm conditions. No test results are publicly available for this specific product; risk is moderate in poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
Heavy metals
Artificial turf fibers are often dyed with pigments that may contain cadmium, lead, or chromium, and UV stabilizers may include metals. Migration risk is very low in intact products, but degraded or weathered turf could shed particles. No testing data is available for this brand.
Source, FDA ↗Microplastics
All artificial turf sheds fibers during use, particularly in high-traffic areas. Polypropylene and polyethylene fibers become microplastics if degraded; accumulation in soil or water is a documented environmental concern, though inhalation risk in residential settings is minimal.
Source, EPA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some artificial turf products use formaldehyde-containing binders in the backing layer to secure fibers. The brand does not specify the adhesive chemistry for RealTurf-Elite; off-gassing potential is highest during the first few weeks after installation.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Flame retardants
The brand has not disclosed whether RealTurf-Elite contains halogenated or phosphorus-based flame retardants. If present, they are typically bound in the backing and pose minimal risk during normal use unless the product is damaged or burned.
Source, EPA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The brand has not published substantive disclosures regarding chemical treatments, certifications (such as Cradle-to-Cradle, GreenGuard, or ISO standards), or testing for flame retardants, heavy metals, or off-gassing. No major recalls or formal safety controversies are on record for this specific product line. The brand's silence on manufacturing inputs and treatment chemistry is typical of the artificial turf sector but limits independent verification.
How it compares in its category
Artificial turf as a category sits between traditional carpet (higher VOC and flame-retardant risk) and natural grass (minimal chemical risk). RealTurf-Elite's mid-tier positioning and lack of marketed premium certifications suggest it uses standard industry coatings rather than low-chemical alternatives. Competitors with published third-party testing or restricted-substance declarations offer more assurance.
If you buy it
Ensure adequate outdoor ventilation during and after installation to disperse any initial off-gassing. Rinse the turf surface with water before first use if possible, and allow 48-72 hours of airing out in a well-ventilated space. For indoor residential use (playrooms, basements), request a sample for off-odor assessment in your specific environment. Replace sections showing visible degradation, fraying, or color loss, as UV and moisture breakdown may liberate particles or residual treatments.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to RealTurf-Elite-Artificial Turf-Medium Pile Grass?
- Polypropylene (PP) astroturf
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- VOC off-gassing from polyurethane or latex adhesive
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
34 Oz Padded Gym Artificial Turf
- polyethylene turf fibers, polypropylene backing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- VOC off-gassing from polyethylene and polypropylene
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- polyethylene/polypropylene synthetic grass fibers with backing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Flame retardants
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore artificial turf grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.